Lexus · ES · 2011
0
Recalls
45
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2011 Lexus ES has no recalls and 45 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (27 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
The contact owns a 2011 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed fluid leaking from the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,912.
I purchased the car on Feb 9, 2014 at the above Lexus Dealership. $26,596. My dashboard is melting and it’s definitely a safety hazard. When materials used in the dashboard are prone to melting or degrading in extreme heat, potentially obstructing the driver's view and impacting visibility. At times I couldn't see and I almost had an accident when the sun reflected in my eyes. It’s a defect that Lexus is aware of because they offered to fix it under the Customer Support Program (Takata Economic Loss Class Action Settlement). Furthermore, by way of legal agreement, the ZLZ warranty enhancement coverage extends to my vehicle until January 8, 2026. However, I should not have to rely on this legal agreement to get Lexus to take care of this repair which has been determined as a defective product/material. I contacted Lexus HQ 716-941-2295 on November 21, 2024. Lexus said they would not be responsible. The law recognizes concepts of negligence and strict liability to hold sellers liable for defective goods even when no contract existed. Furthermore, regarding this dashboard defect, there is liability based on the breach of a warranty for the sale of this defective product. Regarding negligence and strict liability, the law has expanded the scope of warranty protections for consumers. This is true both of liability for express promises made by the sellers regarding the quality of products, and the protections the law presumes when sellers offer goods for sale. Lexus knows that when a seller makes a representation at the time of sale regarding the quality of the product, that product is said to be under warranty. Lexus should not continue to avoid responsibility using the excuse of time limitations on the warranty item. Lexus should authorize the repair.
We purchased this vehicle in mid 2018. In October of 2018 Lexus issued a customer support process ZLZ which covered our vehicle for problems with the dashboard. At that time, we had no deterioration of our dashboard so we did not respond. The Lexus program expired in 2021. In the last two years, our dashboard has deteriorated quite substantially becoming sticky and more importantly, becoming very reflective. This condition is a serious safety issue for day and night driving as light reflects up on the windshield and obscures vision out of the windshield. We took the vehicle to Lexus San Diego in August of 2024 and they declined to address the repair as a defect and offered to replace the dashboard for approximately $3000. At that time I called the Lexus Corporate Dept and they said that it could fall under the support program again if they re-opened the program. The representative did not offer any timeline for that happening. I sent correspondence to Lexus Corporate in Oct of 2024 and finally heard back on 11/08/2024 that they would only offer a customer paid fix of approximately $2200.00. The dashboard is definitely defective (soon to be inoperable) and creates a very significant safety problem. I do not understand or agree with Lexus not addressing it properly.
I started my vehicle and drove about 1/2 mile when the car started acting like it was running out of gas. I pulled over and got about 1gallon of gas in a gas can and put it in the vehicle. I turned the car back on and drove about 2 blocks when the vehicle started jumping like it was going to run out of gas again. The vehicle then shut down while I was driving it. I made it to the side of the road and put the vehicle in park and turned off the ignition with the push start button. I tried to start the vehicle again with the push start button and the vehicle would just try to start but just crank and not turn on. This ended up being a fault fuel pump. After some research I was able to find out Lexus had several thousand vehicles of the same year make and model recalled due to a faulty fuel pump that goes out while driving causing a dangerous driving condition which is exactly what occurred in my vehicle. I contacted Lexus and was told my vehicle was not included in the recall which I don’t understand due to the fact that my fuel pump went out while was driving. I am requesting this issue be investigated and the vehicle be added to the list of recalled vehicles with faulty fuel pumps
The contact owned a 2011 Lexus ES 350. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle crossed over into oncoming traffic, resulting in a head-on collision with the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact's wife was transported to an area hospital by EMT and treated for injuries to her right shoulder, left hip, left femur, and left foot, requiring surgery on her shoulder, hip, and femur. The contact also stated that it was required that a stint be placed in his wife's heart. The contact mentioned the injuries sustained resulted in over $1 million in medical treatment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owned a 2011 Lexus 350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, her vehicle collided with another vehicle that ran a red light at 50 MPH on the front passenger side door. The impact caused the vehicle to careen off the roadway and collide with a billboard support beam where it came to stop. No air bags were deployed. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported to an area hospital by emergency services and treated for ocular facial pain, diplopia gaze, and a possible brain aneurysm, resulting in post-concussion syndrome. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 170,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Lexus ES350. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was flashing constantly. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Occupant Classification Sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the Occupant Classification Sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
I own a 2011 Lexus ES350. I understand there were several times in the past when repairs for a melting dashboard was fixed with no cost to the car owner. I don’t recall receiving information on this offer in a timely manner and now the offers have apparently expired. I think most customers were concerned about the cosmetic damage of the dashboard, but I have valid safety concerns. Sometimes when the sun is out, the line of vision is blurred due to the reflection of the melted dashboard. I want this to be repaired before I have an accident.
The vehicle has severe rust and corrosion underneath affecting the suspension. The brakes and power steering needed repairs but the service would cause even more damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was confirmed by sterling mcall lexus of clear lake. 18160 Gulf Fwy, Houston, TX 77546. and also Firestone Center Pearland 2908 Broadway St, Pearland, TX 77581. This vehicle is unsafe to operate due to the corrosion. An accident may soon occur.
2011 LEXUS ES. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BROKEN DOOR HANDLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS BROKEN, THE DRIVER'S SEAT COVER AND OUTER BOLSTER SECTIONS WERE DAMAGED, AND THE ROOF PAINT WAS PEELING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING WHICH RESULTS IN THE NOXIOUS CHEMICAL SMELL AND ADHESIVE COMPOUND THAT IS STICKY TO THE TOUCH.
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATING ON INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DOES NOT GO OUT WHEN CAR IS STARTED AND DRIVEN.
THE LEATHER ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS HAVE FAILED AND SPLIT, DETERIORATED AND THE LEATHER ON THE ARMREST BETWEEN SEATS HAVE DETERIORATED.
"TAKATA RECALL", AFTER CONTACTING LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP I MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON 9/8/2017 TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE, I WAS TOLD NO REMEDY AVAILABLE PER THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP (LEXUS OF BELLEVUE). IT IS NOW 12/19/2017 AND STILL NO REPAIRS OR REMEDY FROM LEXUS.
TAKATA RECALL; I HAVE MAJOR CONCERN RELEVANT TO NOT ONLY THE PASS/SIDE AIR BAG, BUT TO THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG ALSO. I REQUEST BOTH SIDES BE REPLACED, UNLESS YOU CAN PROVIDE DATA THAT WILL CONFIRM THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG. DEALER/SEWELL ADVISED MY WORK WOULD BE DONE IN SEPT 17. THEY HAVE YET TO SET UP AN APPT FOR MY REPAIRS. PLS HELP. THANKS
TAKATA RECALL - IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND LEXUS HAS NOT COME UP WITH A SOLUTION, PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER!
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ELEVEN MONTHS AGO. MAY 2016. I WAS TOLD THE REPLACEMENT WOULD TAKE PLACE IN LATE DECEMBER 2016 OR BY JANUARY 2017. IT IS NOW APRIL 20, 2017 AND AS OF THIS DAY NOTHING. TOYOTA HAS HAD AMPLE TIME TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. MY VEHICLE IS IN ZONE A RECALL
TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL - THE RECALL LETTER FOR AIR BAG WAS ISSUED ON MAY 23, 2016 AND THE CAR MANUFACTURE LEXUS HAS NO REMEDY YET FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG REPLACEMENT. IT IS APPROACHING ONE YEAR SINCE THE RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG RECALL. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO TAKE ALMOST ONE YEAR WITHOUT REMEDY.
NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. WHY IS IT TAKING LEXUS SO LONG TO FIX THE PROBLEM? ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE IS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS DANGER POSSIBLE.
I HAVE CALLED AND CONTACTED LEXUS MANY TIMES REGARDING THE PROBLEM WITH MY LEXUS CAR. I HAVE FOLLOWED UP AND DONE ALL THE REQUIRED FEEDBACK NEEDED IN ORDER FOR LEXUS TO ASSIST ME. I FEEL THAT CUSTOMERS DO NOT REALLY MATTER BECAUSE OF THE LENGTH OF TIME LEXUS IS TAKING TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE WHO DRIVE THE VEHICLES WHEN THERE MAY BE A SERIOUS MATTER. THE CAR MANUAL STATES ONE THING AND LEXUS DOES NOT EVEN ABIDE BY THE CAR ALERTS AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO CARE IF THE CUSTOMER IS SAFE OR NOT. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO 3 DIFFERENT CAR MAINTENANCE SHOPS REGARDING THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT AND I HAVE REPLACED MANY SENSORS AND THE LIGHT CONTINUE NOT TO GO OFF. THE BRAKES IN MY CAR TOTALLY WENT OUT AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. . I HAVE BEEN TOLD ALSO WHAT ABOUT THE AIR BAG. WHY DID LEXUS NOT CONTACT ME TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR AIR BAG REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE ACCIDENT. THIS IS A LEXUS VEHICLE AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY LEXUS CANNOT GIVE AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT IS WRONG. I WONDER IF LEXUS IS WAITING ON ANOTHER TRAGEDY TO HAPPEN BEFORE INTERVENING. GOD PROTECT ME EVERYDAY BUT LEXUS HAS A BIG RESPONSIBILITY AND BECAUSE OF THE NAME SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE.I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY LEXUS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CARLOS GARCIA WITH TOYOTO WHICH IN THE LETTER HE HAD STATEMENT THAT DID NOT EXIST AND I CALLED LEXUS AND SOMEONE STATED THEY DID NOT GIVE TOYOTO THAT INFORMATION. IN THE LETTER FROM TOYOTO, ONLY THE AIRBAG WAS ADDRESSED WHICH MY WHOLE CASE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AIR BAGS. I CALLED MR. GARCIA AND HE STATED THAT HE HAD ACCIDENTLY MISTAKEN ME WITH THE WRONG PERSON AND THAT HE WILL CALL ME THE NEXT DAY TO CLEAR THE MATTER UP.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2011 Lexus ES has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 45 owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Lexus ES.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2011 Lexus ES.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2011 Lexus ES are air bags (27 reports), structure:body (5 reports), electrical system (2 reports).
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2011 Lexus ES. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.